There is, of course, plenty of time for the two parties to get together and begin the process of hashing out a long-term deal that will keep Houston in Kansas City for the foreseeable future.

Former agent Joel Corry that the two parties would ideally get the process started no later than this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.

“Probably no later than the (NFL Scouting) Combine,” Corry said in an interview with Chiefs Digest. “There could be a meeting around then where they start laying the foundation or discuss things conceptually.”

Last we heard regarding Houston, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that there is a “real possibility” the Chiefs and Houston could be headed for a fight over his position if they use their franchise tag on him.

Meanwhile, Jason Cole reported that the Chiefs are going to get a long-term done with Houston at some point.

“They really like Houston. They feel like they are investing in a player for the long-term They feel like it’s money well spent and not a risk,” Cole said. “And that is the critical issue with Justin Houston. And that’s why a deal is going to get done.”

Cole believes Houston could still come away with more than Rams DE Robert Quinn‘s new deal — four-years, $66.575 million and $41.268 million guaranteed.

It’s not all that common for a player like Houston to be in position to test the free agent market, so the the franchise tag could be an attractive option for Kansas City if talks don’t progress.

Should the Chiefs elect to franchise Houston, it would cost Kansas City close to $13.116 million.

Houston, 25, has recorded 68 tackles, 22 sacks, four forced fumbles and five pass defenses heading into Week 17’s game. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 1 outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense this year by a wide margin.